Living A Normal Life With Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain, Pain Management

chronic painThose who suffer from chronic pain do not have a ready and simple solution to their problems. Unlike traditional pain, chronic pain lasts for more than six months and wears down one’s physical and emotional health. If you suffer from chronic pain, you can do many things to improve your daily life.

Make Yourself a Priority

When in pain, the most important part of taking care of your body is setting limits for yourself. It may be more difficult to entertain when you have a chronic condition. The onset of pain is enough to make you want to cancel plans. Exerting yourself beyond what you can handle puts you at risk for deeper pain and fatigue that usual. If you suffer from a chronically painful condition, this could mean bedrest for days. However, setting your own pace and prioritizing yourself is the best way to maintain a safe balance with your pain. If you feel unable to make it out for a dinner party, release yourself from the guilt of cancelling. Keep your own best interests in mind and give yourself permission to step down from plans.

Pain Management

If your discomfort becomes moderate or severe pain, choose a natural or medicinal method to provide relief. Effective natural methods include hot/cold compresses on the inflamed area or even massage therapy. While compresses are an efficient way to sooth sudden pain, massage therapy has many different styles that help with areas of discomfort that are constant. Physical therapists are available in most areas to help learn exercise and stretching techniques that release tension in the muscles and joints. However, for those with debilitating pain, speak with your physician to obtain a prescription pain reliever to help you get through the day. Many resources are available to prevent you from suffering from constant pain and discomfort.

Find a New “Normal”

Though long-lasting pain can cause many difficult changes in your life, your circumstances should not prevent you from feeling happy and fulfilled. It may be helpful to speak with a counselor if chronic pain is a new development that you are still learning to handle. Use their guidance to help cope with the emotions and pain in your everyday routine. Ask the counselor to direct you to a local support group to connect with other individuals who endure daily pain. A chronic painful condition is not the end; it is simply a new chapter.

Major Categories Of Prescription Painkillers

Prescription Painkillers

Categories Of Prescription PainkillersIf you suffer from pain, prescription painkillers may be necessary if you have already tried over-the-counter medications to manage it. A visit with your family doctor is the first step towards diagnosing your pain. Once diagnosed, the doctor can prescribe the best remedy for your discomfort. There are many different types of pain relievers. The ideal option for you will mainly depend upon your particular condition.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids as prescription drugs provide relief from discomfort caused by inflammation. They reduce swelling and itchiness for patients with arthritis, allergies, and asthma. Cancer patients experiencing pain often use corticosteroids for an increased appetite during treatment. Prescribed as a pill or an injection, some varieties include prednisone, prednisolone, and methylprednisolone. Doctors usually prescribe it at a low dose over a small amount of time due to its addictive properties.

Opioids

Narcotic pain medications, also known as “opioids,” treat acute pain temporarily, thereby reducing the risk of addiction. Unlike other painkillers, opioids do not cause bleeding in the stomach or in other parts of the body. Opioids treat severe pain, which gives the patient mobility in the afflicted area. The most popular opioids available via prescription include morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone and codeine.

Antidepressants

Though antidepressants primarily treat emotional conditions, they are also an effective pain reliever. Frequently used for those with chronic pain, they adjust the natural chemicals in the brain to help sufferers who do not respond to the typical treatments. Antidepressants have milder side effects than other medications. 

Anticonvulsants

Anticonvulsants treat patients who are prone to seizures, but they sometimes are used to treat severe pain for those who suffer from nerve damage. Prescribed medications include carbamazepine, gabapentin, and pregabalin. One advantage to anticonvulsants is that they have fewer side effects than other prescribed medications, which are limited to drowsiness, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.

Using Pain Management Medications

Following the exact directions of your pain management analgesics reduces your risk of side effects and addiction. Those who have allergic reactions to any of these pain relievers should seek out natural remedies instead. All of these medications should be stored in a place that children do not have access to, as they should not be used by anyone but the specific patient. As with all medications, dispose of any unused doses by the expiration date to avoid unpredictable side effects. In the event of accidental overdose, notify emergency services immediately.

Medication For Pain Management

Pain Management

Pain ManagementWhen pain gets unbearable or overwhelming, it helps to select the right painkiller which sometimes requires the help of a doctor. Patients have many different ailments that can cause their discomfort so it’s important to know the differences and risks among the various pain management options.

Why Should I Choose Medicinal Pain Management?

Many natural treatments are all about controlling your pain through different thinking patterns and meditation. Those who are just beginning to learn about these methods or have had many unsuccessful attempts to stop their pain may be discouraged and need more immediate relief. By using medication for your pain management, you take control and free your mind to handling other tasks in your household without pain.

Medication for Everyday Aches and Pain

The most popular day-to-day medications are referred to as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, meaning that they reduce swelling while managing pain. Including medications like ibuprofen and naproxen, each of them is available in varying dosage sizes, depending on your pain level. Ibuprofen is designed to reduce the effect of aches and pains but also has a risk of raising your blood pressure. Analgesics like acetaminophen primarily focus on just pain management without reducing swelling. This medication is so safe that it is often one of the only pain reducers that pregnant women are able to take.

Medication for Chronic Pain

Those who are long-time sufferers need medications that are either strong or long-acting. Stronger medications determine the dosage entirely on your pain level and duration. These are safe to take in larger doses without side effects as long as they are not combined with non-opioid drugs. Long-acting medications like morphine or codeine phosphate would come in a slow-release dose so that the pain is consistently controlled while you take it.

Considerations While Using Pain Medications

Each pain management medication has a maximum dose. It is imperative that you follow the directions on each one to prevent long-term medical issues. By exceeding the daily dosage, you put yourself at risk for stomach ulcers, organ damage in the kidneys and liver, or even death. If you receive your medication over-the-counter or through a prescription, consult with your doctor or pharmacist about these risks.

Most painful conditions have their choice of medications to improve your quality of life rather than living in pain. When in doubt, contact your physician to get more information. Before selecting your medication, please check the label for any warning in regards to allergies or precautions to take when using multiple medications.

 

When To Worry About Painkiller Addiction

Painkiller Addiction

Taking painkillers after a major surgery or other incident is often critical to allowing your body to heal while maintaining your regular day-to-day activities. For some, it is incredibly tempting to alter the doctor’s treatment plan, which can lead to painkiller addiction over time. Addiction is “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.” It is important to know what to look out for to prevent this potentially threat.

 Signs of Addiction

It is imperative to assess your own well-being to determine if you are succumbing to painkiller addiction. If you are dwelling often on your next dosage, this may be a warning signal that you are relying too much on them which may result in dependence in the end. Altering the dose by either modifying the physical format or taking more than prescribed is a way that addicts can feel like they are taking control when they begin to build up a tolerance from long-term use.

Another sign is spending time with multiple doctors to use for additional prescriptions. If each doctor is contributing a new prescription, the patient exceeds the recommended dosage and puts themselves at risk for lasting side effects or even death. Addicts often find a plethora of different opportunities to get more pain pills, going online or buying medication from non-medical sources. If you or your loved one starts becoming angry and defensive when questioned about this potential issue, it is certain help is needed fast.

How to Handle Addiction

The first step is to ask for help. No one can help someone who refuses it but learning more about painkiller addiction is one of the steps towards fighting it. The best thing you can do for an addict is to get them to a doctor or treatment center than is dedicated to rehabilitation and beating addiction. They are equipped with the proper knowledge and therapy to get addicts back on track to a healthy life.

Be Safe

There are many resources to help you battle painkiller addiction. If you or someone you love is battling with their dependence on any narcotics, call 800-662-HELP (4357), the national helpline run by the U.S. government’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. All the disclosed information is confidential and their resources are free to anyone who needs them.

Should I Ask For A Prescription When I’m Suffering Moderate Pain?

Moderate Pain

moderate painPain is all about perception. We live in a society that constantly prefers to medicate and use pills to achieve a pleasant state of being. However, when you experience moderate pain, how do you determine if you need a prescription from your doctor? Though there are no concrete circumstances, there are several considerations you should take before pursuing a stronger drug to manage your ailment.

Why Should You Medicate?

When you experience moderate pain, many choose to first use over-the-counter drugs to manage it. When those medications fail or your symptoms last more than seven days, that may be a sign it is time to speak with your doctor about a more aggressive treatment plan. Those who suffer from chronic pain often find it difficult to manage their pain with non-prescription drugs. In addition, patients who have just experienced major surgery on any part of their body experience different levels of pain during the healing process. Having continued discomfort throughout the day makes it difficult to maintain a relaxed quality of life. Choosing to speak with a physician about a prescription lets you eliminate the pain instead of your daily routine.

Why Shouldn’t You Medicate?

In some scenarios, a stronger medication is not the answer to the moderate pain you experience. A prescription is written for products that cannot be obtained without physician approval and typically include opioids. Opioids like dihydrocodeine have few side effects but continued use of them runs the risk of dependency and addiction. If you plan to use this medication to manage a painful condition, attempt other routes of pain management than a prescription instead to find a healthier solution that has less risk. Doctors are often more hesitant to give out a prescription without trying other courses of treatment so they often recommend physical therapy or other non-medicinal methods prior to the use of narcotics.

A momentary issue causes some moderate pain in life. It could be a sign that there is something more severe happening to your body. A physical examination to address potentially undetermined injuries may resolve your pain without needing a prescription.

Personal Preference

You are the only person who knows the level of pain you experience. Since a prescription requires a visit to the doctor anyway, speak with him about other remedies before committing to the strength of an opioid. If you are a recovering drug addict, you may choose a less severe course of action to maintain your sobriety. Those who experience any pain that is not manageable with painkillers that are available to the public should speak to the doctor to see what options you have.

Explaining The Effects Of Codeine Phosphate

Uncategorized

Codeine PhosphateTo receive codeine phosphate, you require a prescription from your doctor. Though it can take up to four hours to work, it is effective in relieving pain and is often prescribed for those with ailments that involve coughing or diarrhea. It is from the opioid family, which also includes morphine and Vicodin. There are many different effects of this drug to consider.

Uses

Codeine phosphate has a unique formula that relieves pain by replicating the production of naturally occurring endorphins to create a relaxed and euphoric state. As a cough medicine, it suppressed the brain’s cough reflex to give time for the throat to heal. When used to treat diarrhea, it helps to produce firmer stools that are less frequent by reducing the speed at which the intestines contract as your digestive system processes food.

Those who suffer from chronic pain are some of its long-term users, helping to alleviate the tension in their various muscle groups on a long-term basis. It is available by injection or in a tablet, giving the user the option on how to receive the medication. It is safe for adults over the age of 18 for mild or moderate pain. The pain pills are sometimes used for children above age 12 for severe pain on a case-by-case basis that is determined by their pediatrician or family physician.

Possible Side Effects

There are many side effects of using any over-the-counter drug or opioid. For codeine phosphate, some side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, “cottonmouth,” weight loss, possible seizures, lethargy, dizziness, rigidity in the muscle, constipation, difficulty breathing, depression, altered sex drive, blurred vision, and other results.

If you experience these side effects or hallucinations, contact your doctor to find another option. Itchy skin, difficulty breathing, excessive perspiration or a reddened look along your cheeks can be signs of an allergy to the drug. Those who are allergic to this drug should avoid it entirely as it could be threatening to your life.

Be Careful

Codeine phosphate is not meant for use in children under the age of 12 since their bodies are not designed to metabolize it at a safe rate. Prior to use, notify your doctor of any allergies so he can prevent aggravating them if they correspond with ingredients in the medication. Even if you have much of the drug left, always complete the full course as prescribed. Dispose properly of the bottle to prevent other members of the household from accidentally ingesting your prescription.

How To Get Painkillers In The UK

Painkillers In The UK

Painkillers In The UKAs you sit down after a long day, all you can think about is that unsettling headache or back spasm and you’re sure you need painkillers. Finding the right analgesic first depends on the kind of pain you have and how intense it is. If you have a mild headache, taking a low-dose aspirin may be what does the trick. However, if your pain is getting worse and you have a throbbing migraine, you may need to take additional action to squash that discomfort.

 Over the Counter Medications

There are many painkillers in the UK that only require a visit to the pharmacy and a conversation with someone behind the counter. Multiple medications are available such as paracetamol, NSAIDs (acetaminophen), and effervescent painkillers. Paracetamol is designed treat headaches and most non-nerve pains but if you have swelling, pick an NSAID. If you want a combination of paracetamol and low-dose codeine, you need to speak with a pharmacy technician. Generally, most non-opioid medications are available throughout any pharmacy, offering different levels of potency.

Get a Prescription

Sometimes, that does not do the trick and you need something a little stronger to handle the pain. Speaking with your doctor opens up many different possibilities as far as strength and the type of drug you can obtain. Higher dose codeine requires a prescription, as do opioids like morphine and Vicodin. These drugs have addictive tendencies so it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions exactly to avoid overdose and severe side effects. Amitriptyline and gabapentin are two other pain pills your doctor may prescribe for severe pain. This combination is designed to treat pain that is due to nerve sensitivity or damage.

A prescription for strong painkillers such as codeine phosphate or dihydrocodeine can be legally issued online in the UK, unlike the US.  So you can buy co-codamol online here in the UK quite legally without actually visiting a doctor in person.   This site brings together the registered doctors and pharmacists you need to buy online with no prescription.  This is because their doctors issue the prescription for you. It is also legal of course to refill a prescription online with proper documentation. In the event you choose to buy online, make sure you are using an authentic online pharmacy like this one. Unregulated online pharmacies could give you a bad combination or use the wrong formula, which would result in unexpected side effects.

Speak with your Doctor

The most important part of buying your painkillers in the UK is making sure you are choosing a legal method. Higher doses and opioids can only be obtained with a valid prescription and you should err on the side of caution by filling it with your local pharmacy. The pharmacist will go over and clarify any instructions given by your doctor.